Artists who took the path of faith

For many, the lyrics of reggaeton and the Christian faith are at opposite ends, but the reality is that several urban artists have had ties to churches, and in many cases they have been a refuge for extreme personal situations or addictions.

The latest case is that of Daddy Yankee, who last weekend closed what he said was his last concert, announcing that he would dedicate the rest of his life to preaching the word of Christ.

“To all the people who followed me, follow Jesus Christ, he is the way, the truth and the life,” the artist said Sunday night from the Puerto Rico Coliseum, before dozens of drones lit up the sky with “Christ loves you” messages at the concert hall. .

Almost two years earlier, his colleague and compatriot Farruko did the same. At a concert in the Miami Heat basketball club, the artist surprised his fans by apologizing for the messages in his music, especially for the biggest hit of his career, the song “Pepas”.

“I believed my own lie. Because my song was number one, I didn’t know the message I was giving, that I was telling people ‘take tablet so that you can be happy’. And you know what? I’m not proud of it. “God knows how many of your children I have hurt!… And today I stand up, as a man, to tell you to forgive me as a human being,” he expressed.

“God is a just being, he has allowed me both bad and good and wants to use me as instrument for everyone who may have many doubts. The word is oa real testimony. A message of light between darknesshe added.

His stories echo the stories of the Panamanian artist In generalwho is considered the father of the movement urban Latin musicand Hector ‘El Father’one of the creators of today’s sound reggaeton. Both made more radical decisions and left public life to become pastors.

Reggaeton, void of swagger and sexual power

Reggaeton is often criticized for its valuation hardness and sexual power on emotional vulnerability and transparencybut it can be a mask for some.

“For a long time I was trying to fill a void in my life that no one could fill. I was trying to fill it and find purpose in my life. I have to tell you that those days are over. I am not ashamed. Tell the whole world that Jesus lives in me and that I will to live for him”, he said Daddy Yankee in his concert.

The songs ‘René’ (2020), from Residenceand ‘Nobody Knows’ (2023), author Bad Bunnyperformers who have not announced their affiliation to this one Christian movement.

Likewise, on his debut album “Odyssey”, Ozuna explored themes innocence, fragility and desirepresenting his art as a a spiritual journeywhile Wisin and Yandel They have thank you songs on their individual albums.

Life and death

The Christian faith was the answer some of these artists found Extreme situations.

Daddy Yankee said his approach religion It started at the age of 17, when he got shot in the leg which kept him in bed for over a year and left him with mild disability.

Vico C, Voltio and even Don Omar found in religion a way to keep their emotions under control. addictions and run away from violence.

Don Omar told CNN that it was the first time he approached Christianity It was when he was a teenager, when he saw several of his friends die, victims of organized violence.

“I at that time sold drugs“, admitted the artist.

He accepted Christianity and was ordained as a pastor. Years later, he tried to reconcile his faith with a musical career, and when the church authorities prevented him from doing so, he gave it up.

He eventually returned to the fold, after admitting his addiction to sex, alcohol and drugs.

Hector “El Father”, Larry Over, VoltThe Almighty and the General did not achieve that either. reconciliation, but they decided the opposite. After declaring their faith, they retired from music.

“I don’t understand how you can be in those two worlds,” Héctor ‘El Father’ told EFE when he presented autobiographical film “Héctor ‘El Father, you will know the truth” 2020.

In the same way as Daddy Yankee and Farruko, Tito El Bambino’ has become a booster for other Christians. During the pandemic, he regularly held Instagram Live sessions with preachers and Christian music artists.

A growing number of Christian reggaeton artists, including Alex Zurdo, Kike Pavón, Redimi2 and others, show the expansion of this movement.

These artists not only maintain the essence of reggaeton, but also infuse it letters with messages from faith and hope.